Boks mourn loss of 'legend' Chester Williams

Chester Williams, who has died following a heart attack aged 49, was the only non-white player in the South African squad that won an historic victory over New Zealand in the final of the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Williams was considered one of the greatest wings in Springbok history.

The report stated that Williams' sister suffered a heart attack only a week ago and remains in hospital, while his brother Wilmot died of a similar condition when in high school.

"Chester was a true pioneer in South African rugby and his performances at the World Cup in 1995, as a snapshot of his Springbok career, will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of our rugby public".

"Only this week our management team was chatting to Chester about his plans to come to the tournament and about tickets for Rugby World Cup matches".

Cape Town - Deceased former Springbok wing Chester Williams anxious about his health for some time, a report has indicated.

On the day - Wednesday - that Chester Williams, one of South African rugby's most enduring heroes will be honoured with a memorial service at the University of Western Cape (UWC), he will also feature in an all-day tribute on SuperSport.

The death of the jinking winger, who scored 14 tries in 27 appearances for the Springboks including four in a single test, comes just weeks before the World Cup kicks off in Japan.

Current and former rugby players, as well as other South African sporting icons, paid their respects.

Williams was part of the Springboks' World Cup winning squad. But he was recalled for the quarter-final.

But it almost did not happen as the Western Province wing was injured just before the event and was only brought back into the squad by coach Kitch Christie after Pieter Hendricks collected a suspension for his part in a fight in the "Battle of Boet Erasmus" pool match against Canada.

SuperSport will air a special all-day tribute for Chester Williams.

"Chester Williams's death at this tender age leaves all South Africans bereft of a rugby hero and national role model", said current president Cyril Ramaphosa in a statement.

Williams is the fourth member of that 1995 World Cup-winning side to die tragically early, after Kruger, Van der Westhuizen and Small.

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